UA student dismissed after racially charged video

By Ed Enoch Staff Writer

Wednesday

Jan 17, 2018 at 5:30 PMJan 17, 2018 at 7:29 PM

The University of Alabama student who repeatedly used racist language while referring to African-Americans in a series of videos posted on social media is no longer enrolled at the university and has been expelled from her sorority.

In a series of videos, a young woman identified as Harley Barber, a former UA student and member of UA’s Alpha Phi sorority chapter, repeatedly used racist and profane language referring to African-Americans. The videos sparked an outcry and calls for her expulsion on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“In light of the racist and disturbing videos posted by one of our students on social media, I want to express my personal disgust and disappointment,” UA President Stuart Bell said in a statement released Wednesday. “Like many of you, I find the videos highly offensive and deeply hurtful, not only to our students and our entire university community, but to everyone who viewed them. The actions of this student do not represent the larger student body or the values of our university, and she is no longer enrolled here.”

The university declined to clarify whether Barber withdrew from UA or was expelled. UA Associate Vice President for Communications Monica G. Watts said the university could only release that Barber was no longer enrolled. Barber did not respond to requests for comment but in an interview published by the New York Post on Wednesday apologized for the video and said she was in the process of moving home to New Jersey.

The videos also drew condemnation from the sorority’s national leadership, which issued a statement that Barber had been kicked out of the UA chapter.

“Alpha Phi is a diverse, values-based organization and condemns the language and opinions in these videos. They are offensive and hateful to both our own members and to other members of the Greek and campus community. The Beta Mu chapter leadership and supporting alumnae moved quickly to address the offense, and Ms. Barber is no longer a member of Alpha Phi,” Alpha Phi International Fraternity Executive Director Linda Kahangi said.

The videos drew the attention of current and former Alabama football players, including New York Giants safety Landon Collins, who said Alabama football didn’t need the support of anyone who condones racist rhetoric and behavior.

Bell also used his statement Wednesday to promote diversity resources on campus for those affected by the videos.

“Over the last year, I have had conversations with many of you who shared your UA experiences with me,” Bell said. “You have voiced your pride in the progress we have made, but we still have much work to do. I want to thank all of the students, faculty and staff who met today to have conversations about this event and the steps we can take, individually and collectively, to create a more welcoming and inclusive campus.”

UA has faced criticism for what have been seen as enduring diversity issues on campus, particularly with regard to its Greek system, which includes about a third of students on campus and is one of the largest in the country.

The outcry in 2013 over accounts reported in the student newspaper that some black women were passed over for sorority bids because of their race was part of the impetus that led to the creation of a new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and reforms to the Greek system.

As part of a five-year strategic plan, Bell established the new office to help enhance diversity and inclusivity on campus. G. Christine Taylor, the first vice president and associate provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, arrived on campus this fall.

UA announced an action plan in 2016 to increase diversity in its sororities and fraternities and enhance its ability to prevent and respond to reports of discrimination.

As part of the diversity plan, fraternities and sororities were required to amend their constitutions, undergo annual training, develop and submit diversity plans including initiatives and education programs, and post policy information in residential facilities. If fraternities and sororities fail to comply, they run the risk of sanctions or loss of university recognition.

While the racist video posts may be included in an annual diversity report for the Greek system, Watts said they may not require action under the 2016 plan.

“It doesn’t necessarily fall under the requirements of the action plan,” Watts said.

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